No need for tips for Trudeau family from the Harpers, Laureen Harper says

Justin Trudeau, his wife Sophie Gregoire and their children Xavier and Ella-Grace, celebrate on Sunday April 14 in Ottawa.— Canadian Press photo

By Stephanie Levitz

The Canadian Press — Ottawa

Laureen Harper has no tips for the Trudeaus about raising a young family in the public eye.

In fact, Harper says, she could probably take lessons from newly elected Liberal leader Justin Trudeau’s wife, Sophie.

“I wouldn’t give her any advice, they are more public,” Laureen Harper said in a recent interview at 24 Sussex Drive.

“She would walk down the street and people know her. I walk down the street and nobody would know me.”

When Stephen Harper became leader of Conservative party in 2004, the Harpers’ children were nine and five; the Trudeaus’ are six and four.

In the nearly 10 years the Harpers have spent living in the public eye, they’ve kept Ben and Rachel mostly out of the spotlight, save for the obligatory family Christmas cards and occasional photo op.

On his first day as prime minister, Harper was famously photographed sending his kids off to school with a sound handshake.

The Harpers do make regular appearances at the childrens’ extracurricular events, including sports tournaments on the weekends. And during the 2011 election campaign, Rachel baked cookies for the travelling press corps.

But the Trudeaus already have a much higher public profile among Canadians, Laureen Harper said. “They would probably have to deal with it a lot more than me.”

Sophie Trudeau is a former model and television host, well-known in Quebec if not in the rest of the country.

Justin Trudeau, of course, has been in the public spotlight since the day he was born; his father Pierre Trudeau was prime minister at the time.

By contrast, Laureen Harper’s self-professed ability to fly under the radar sometimes makes for awkward encounters with the Canadian public, like one at a recent volleyball tournament, she said.

“I could hear people talking, and I’m standing right beside them and they had no idea that it was me standing right there,” she said.

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Don II

April 23, 2013 - 09:56

It is a good thing that Mrs. Harper can attend a volleyball game without being recognized and be able to listen to what most Canadians really think about her husband the Prime Minister. Perhaps, after hearing the real facts about how her husband is perceived, she may be able to relate those concerns to him and influence his behavior for the better.....or not!